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Jackattack
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Oregon
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 Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 12:03 pm Post subject: 36hp troubles |
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While completing a top end rebuild. Noticed shavings around distributor gear. Any idea what they are from? What was damaged? And how can I fix it.
Thanks. |
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Slow-N-Rusty
Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2020
Posts: 129
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: 36hp troubles |
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Looks like the distributor drive gear on the crankshaft is chewed up. Its made of brass and is soft and can be easily damaged if the crankshaft is turned while the distributor drive shaft isn't fully seated for some reason.
Only way to fix it would be a complete teardown to clean everything (including pulling the oil galley plugs to flush out any trapped shavings), pull the damaged distributor drive gear off the crankshaft and install a new one then reassemble. I would also replace the distributor drive shaft as well. Also count on inspecting all the internal parts and bearings to check for any damage from the shavings. |
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Jackattack
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: 36hp troubles |
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| Ahh. Thank you. I think the cause was a rag was stuck on the distributor hole when I was turning the crank. |
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VW_Jimbo 
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11515
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2025 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: 36hp troubles |
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You are missing a couple of washers!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
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Jackattack
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2025 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: 36hp troubles |
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Next question, the new gear i bought differs from the original. Does this matter. The gears line up a little different from the keyway.
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Jackattack
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2025 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: 36hp troubles |
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Found out #4 cylinder has a bent rod.
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Slow-N-Rusty
Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2020
Posts: 129
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2025 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: 36hp troubles |
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| Jackattack wrote: |
| Next question, the new gear i bought differs from the original. Does this matter. The gears line up a little different from the keyway. |
I never noticed so its probably a dumb question but does it line up differently if you flip it over? Regardless, I think you should just be able to turn the distributor slightly once you install it to compensate for the difference. |
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Jackattack
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: 36hp troubles |
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| Flipping still wrong. I asked a vw mechanic and he said it doesn't matter. He had knowledge that you need to leave distributor in when doing the top end, keeps gear walking up and binding. For me this was a god send, I wouldn't have split case and find the bent crank rod. |
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